Zach Bryan's teaser of new song 'Bad News' blasting ICE raids goes viral

Zach Bryan previewed his new song 'Bad News', sharing a snippet on Instagram captioned 'the fading of the red, white and blue'
PUBLISHED OCT 7, 2025
Country star Zach Bryan teased a new song that took an unexpected swipe at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (James Smith/Sam Snap/Getty Images)
Country star Zach Bryan teased a new song that took an unexpected swipe at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (James Smith/Sam Snap/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Country star Zach Bryan is sparking backlash after previewing his new song 'Bad News,' which quickly went viral for its sharp critique of America’s policies and spirit under Donald Trump, including a direct call-out of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his administration. 

Known for his liberal views and past clashes with law enforcement, Bryan’s latest track has sparked plenty of conversation. What exactly does he sing about, and how are his peers reacting to the preview? Read on to find out!


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Zach Bryan (@zachlanebryan)


 

Zach Bryan teases new song 'Bad News' targeting ICE raids

Zach Bryan recently shared a voice-note snippet of an unreleased song, delivering his signature mix of rootsy guitar and drums. 

In the track, the country star sings, “I heard the cops came / Cocky m***********s, ain’t they?” before directly calling out the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

To provide context, ICE has intensified mass deportations, sparking widespread protests across the country. 

Bryan’s lyrics vividly capture this tension, “And ICE is gonna come bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more/ But I got a telephone/ Kids are all scared and all alone.” 

He continues with a powerful message of resistance, “The middle finger’s rising, and it won’t stop showing/ Got some bad news/ The fading of the red, white and blue.”

In his post’s caption, Bryan echoed the song’s haunting refrain, writing simply, “The fading of the red, white and blue.”

Reacting to the news about Bryan’s upcoming track, fellow country artist John Rich tweeted, “Nashville is full of guys like this.”

Zach Bryan headlines the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on June 28, 2025 in London, England. (Gus Stewart/Redferns)
Zach Bryan headlines the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on June 28, 2025 in London, England (Gus Stewart/Redferns)

Trump adviser confirms ICE's presence at Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show

Bryan’s post comes amid escalating tensions around ICE in the US. Despite widespread protests, the Trump administration has continued its mass deportation policies.

In fact, one of the president’s advisors recently announced that immigration officers would be present at Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2026.

During an October 1 appearance on 'The Benny Show,' Corey Lewandowski stated, “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility and deport you.”



 

Bryan did not specify when fans can expect the full release of the new song. His last album, 'The Great American Bar Scene,' dropped in July last year and reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Zach Bryan faces backlash after he criticizes ICE raids in his new song

Zach Bryan performs at MetLife Stadium on July 20, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Taylor Hill/Getty Images for ABA)
Zach Bryan performs at MetLife Stadium on July 20, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Taylor Hill/Getty Images for ABA)

Just days after Zach Bryan shared a preview of his new song 'Bad News', which criticizes ICE raids and laments the fading of American patriotism, the clip went viral across social media, sparking a wave of backlash. Many users slammed the country star for the song’s message.

One user wrote, "Just went and blocked this Zach Bryans music from ever playing on my Spotify again.”



 

Another declared, “Zach Bryan’s career just self-deported.”



 

A third joked, “He must want a career change. Starbucks is always hiring."



 

Criticism continued to pour in. An X user commented, “This is how you loose the majority of your fan base.”



 

Another said, “Don’t know he is but he made a bad move here.”



 

One person added, “Good to know, didn't recognize the name but turns out his top songs are ones that annoy me on my Spotify. Artist blocked!”



 

Even longtime fans expressed disappointment, with one writing, “Wow. I was a big fan - but no more. Zach Bryan is dead to me.”



 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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